Your Maharashtra Splendor journey would begin with you arriving at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai, at approximately 3:30 pm to complete the registration process and check-in formalities. After receiving a traditional Indian welcome with a refreshing welcome drink, you would be shown to your delightful cabins, after completion of all formalities. As you settle in, the Deccan Odyssey shall depart Mumbai for Nashik

This morning the Deccan Odyssey would bring you to the holy city of Nashik, which is rapidly gaining the status as the wine capital of the country as well.
After breakfast, you will disembark and spend the morning walking along the Godavari Ghats observing several important Hindu rituals being performed. Continue on through the lively market by the Ghats which sells everything from vegetables to lentils, dried seafood to cow dung cakes and many things in between.
Thereafter you would drive to the Grover Zampa vineyards for an exclusive tour of one of the finest Indian wine producing facilities. Walk through vines laden with Chenin, Chardonnay and Shiraz grapes. Be taken through the age old ‘méthode traditionnelle’ used to make one of the best known brands of sparkling wines in India. Allow the sommelier to acquaint your taste buds with their finest creations of white, red, rose and sparkling wines and experiment pairing them with your meal at the vineyards
After a sumptuous lunch, you will return to the Deccan Odyssey and set forth for Aurangabad.
<<itinerary or optional tour for post lunch/evening?>>

Aurangabad, named after the last Great Mughal Aurangzeb, is an industrial town in Maharashtra and the stop from where you would head out to visit the exceptional Ellora Caves - a World Heritage site. The city itself has deep Mughal influences and there are several monuments of note here; the Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-ka-Makbara and the cities 52 gates, each with its own history, amongst them.
As you would enjoy breakfast, the Deccan Odyssey arrives at Aurangabad, from where a scenic drive would take you to the Ellora Caves, carved into the side of a basaltic hill 30 km from the city. The finest specimen of cave-temple architecture in India, the site encompasses 34 rock-cut shrines representing Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art dating from the 4th to 5th century AD. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre Hindu, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. The most remarkable is the Kailash temple, meant to be a replica of Shiva’s celestial abode on Mt. Kailash. It is the best example of rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel.
Savour a leisurely lunch on-board as the hinterland of Maharashtra sweeps past, with its ever-changing colours and landscape.
In the evening, you could sit back, unwind and enjoy cocktails fixed by the bartender on-board, followed by a sumptuous dinner and well-deserved rest as the Deccan Odyssey proceeds towards Jalgaon to visit the exquisite Ajanta Caves.

The Deccan Odyssey would arrive at Jalgaon station this morning from where, after breakfast on-board, you would disembark and drive to the Ajanta Caves - another World Heritage site and an architectural marvel of its time. The 30 rock-hewn Buddhist caves at Ajanta have been masterfully carved and are adorned with sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art, depicting universal pictorial art and are known to depict the fusion between Buddhist and Hindu faith.
Lunch will be on-board the Deccan Odyssey as it continues on to the multifaceted city of Kolhapur.
The rest of the day is at leisure, you could relax and enjoy some of the activities available on-board. Watch a movie, learn the rules of ‘carrom’ - a popular Indian board game - from a Deccan Odyssey team member or book yourself a relaxing massage at the spa on-board.
In the evening, you could watch the tapestry of rural India unfold as you sip a Sun Downer before dinner.

Watch the hinterlands of Maharashtra sweep past as you would relish breakfast. Enjoy time at leisure in the morning as the Deccan Odyssey rolls into Kolhapur - a city of many hidden treasures, all waiting to be discovered!
After an early lunch on-board you would disembark for a tour of the city.
Visit the New Palace Museum, a lovely basalt and sandstone octagonal Palace from the 19th century. Behold its beautiful architecture and memorabilia of the Kolhapur rulers. Continue to the Town Hall Museum - a somber neo-Gothic building, its front porch flanked by towers with steeply pyramidal metal roofs.
Later you could explore the local markets for a pair of beautifully handcrafted Kolhapuri chappals that you can carry back with you as a souvenir, before proceeding to a special venue for tea followed by Lavanya Sandhya, a vibrant folk performance.
You would also visit the 1300 year old Mahalakshmi temple, also called Shakti Pethas, or place associated with the Goddess Shakti, said to be the consort of Lord Vishnu. Following your temple visit, you will witness a traditional martial arts performance called ‘Mardani Khel’ literally translated to mean masculine games.
After your sojourn into Kolhapur, you will return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as you depart for India’s most happening destination - Goa

On this day you would arrive at Goa - India's smallest state - marked with strong Portuguese influences, having been a colony of Portugal till as late as 1961.
After breakfast, you will disembark and drive to Fontainhas, the Latin Quarters in Panjim which still has some well-preserved houses built in Portuguese style architecture. Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Walk around Fontainhas with its winding alleyways adorned by tiled-roofed houses in spectacular shades of blue and red.
Continue to Ribandar, a very serene and beautiful village, for a walk through ancient churches and the ruins of the once lofty St. Augustine tower that continues to valiantly withstand the vagaries of nature.
Then you would drive to the Sahakari spice plantation for a traditional Goan feast, a meal that has Hindu origins but is heavily influenced by 400 years of Portuguese rule and pays ode to the fruits of the Arabian sea - shrimps, kingfish and mackerel washed down with some ‘feni’, a potent liquor made from cashew. After lunch, you could enjoy a Goan folk performance and a tour of the plantation.
Complete your day in Goa with a visit to an Old Portuguese house and get another peek into Goan life.
After taking in the sights of vibrant Goa, you would return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as it departs for Sindhudurg traversing through the Konkan, one of the most scenic railway routes in the country, bound by the Arabian Sea on the West and Sahyadri hills on the East, a marvelous feat of engineering that made it possible to tunnel the tracks through the seemingly insurmountable hills.

On this day, you would arrive in Sindhudurg which lies on a rocky island just off the coast of Malvan. After a delicious breakfast on-board, you would head out to visit the holy town of Sindhudurg. <<details of sightseeing?>>. Later you would enjoy dinner on-board as the Deccan Odyssey makes its way back to Mumbai

Shirdi, a spiritual journey for Sai devotees. On this day, a car (available for sightseeing) will pick you up from a pre-informed location in Mumbai, and drive you to your hotel in Shirdi. Once you have checked-in, spend the day at leisure. Later, return to your hotel for a comfortable night.
Suggested: Once you have arrived in Shirdi, the adobe of Sai Baba, you can start your day by paying your respects at the Sri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir. From there, you can visit the divine Dwarkamai Masjid, Baba's Chavadi and Hanuman Mandir - all of which are around the main temple premises. (Please note, suggested activities are not included in the package.)

Ajanta-Ellora are India's ancient marvels. On this day, wake up to a hearty breakfast and check out from your hotel. You will then be driven to your hotel in Aurangabad, once you check-in, spend the day at leisure. Later, return to your hotel for a comfortable stay.
Suggested: Once you have rested, you can visit the two World Heritage Sites - Ajanta and Ellora. Visit the remarkable temples of Ajanta and be enthralled by the artistic excellence of the paintings in the caves. Later, get driven to Ellora, a place representing India's epitome of rock-cut architecture. Marvel at the monumental caves and pay your respects at the grand Kailasa Temple. (Please note, suggested activities are not included in the package.)

On this day, enjoy breakfast, check-out from your hotel and spend the day at leisure. Later, you will be driven from your hotel in the car provided to your pre-informed drop location in Mumbai.
Suggested: Explore Aurangabad on this day by visiting Bibi Ka Maqbara, also known as Taj of the Deccan. A beautiful mausoleum, Bibi ka Maqbara is built out of marbles on an elevated structure platform with four minarets at its corners. Alternatively, you can also spend the day visiting the Aurangabad Caves, tucked between the Satara and Sihaychal range of hills in Aurangabad. The caves are typically Buddhist and house the temples of the 6th and 8th century. (Please note, suggested activities are not included in the package.)